Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.

We are free because we wanted to be, lets keep this jazba of Freedom alive

As the government fights black money and corruption with its demonetization move, vested interests have been circulating rumors to spread panic and derail the exercise. Here are the ten myths doing the rounds and the government's response to each one of them:

Myth 1: In next round, PM Modi will demonetize Rs 100 and Rs 50 notes

Reality: There is no such intention and demonetization will not be done for any other denomination of legal tender notes

Myth 2: Select corporate houses and political party members were informed about the move in advance

Reality: There was no leakage of information at all and complete secrecy was maintained

Myth 3: The next step is going to be sealing bank lockers and freezing gold/diamond jewelry

A few months ago, a Hindu member of the National Assembly of Pakistan had had it. In a spontaneous outburst, he charged that members of parliament routinely ridicule the Hindu religion and always treat Hindus and Indians synonymously. “Why can’t we be called Pakistanis?” he wondered in the end. This barely one-minute reaction in parliament hit the nail on the head. However, his fellow parliamentarians and the general public heard him and then ignored him. After all, this is what has been happening in Pakistan since its inception, so why change now? When Pakistan was created, about 25 per cent of western Pakistan and 30 per cent of eastern Pakistan was composed of non-Muslims, not an inconsequential percentage.This percentage quickly dec...

By Sonia I. Farooq Published: February 21, 2016 There was an aura of peace and serenity. I took my time to absorb the atmosphere, wanting to absorb with both mind and heart, while I remained there struck with awe and amazement. PHOTO: SONIA FAROOQ Sometimes the best things are unplanned. I had almost stopped waiting for my visa for India to arrive and then, just two days before the conference, I had it in my hands. Being my usual, spontaneous self, I immediately rushed to the travel agency to book my flight only to be informed that I was too late to get a hold of any direct flight to Delhi that week. Adding to my disappointment, other flights were costly and booked as well. After hours of sheer persistence, my friend and I managed to...

I am surprised that there are people who still think what they see on TV is the real reality. There is a difference between a real reality and a reel reality.

Dharna warna se kuch nahi hota. (Sit ins are rarely useful) Why would Nawaz Sharif care if a huge group is sitting on govt property singing and dancing in protest. This doesn't derail any system. I mean if dharna (sit in) is the only force to topple Nawaz Sharif then he need not worry about anything. People can sit in front of Govt buildings for next 4 years and Nawaz Sharif will not even bat an eye lid.

People have been doing marches (world record holder), dharna, hunger strikes for missing persons of Balouchistan for years and they couldn't even shake city govt.

Imran Khan of PTI and Tahir Ul Quadri of PAT have yet again set up their camps in front of PM Nawaz Sharif's house and supreme court since Aug 14th.

Its very interesting how media manipulation works, Pakistan is a true laboratory of this. IK and his religious partner TUQ has been playing with govt despite doing all the things themselves what they blame govt for. IK has support of young and educated while TUQ has support of his mureeds and religious people. Both look determined to oust Nawaz's govt. Its funny how they have made it look like fight for the true democracy.

Doesnt matter if IK has made public calls to drag the IG Police on streets with his throat, or drag PM out of office and do street justice or himself punish any policemen who t...

A Pakistani in India

Now the common challenge is to find a middle ground for real stakeholders, who becomes aliens within Hindustan. PHOTO: AZAM KHAN

History, unfortunately, has given Indian and Pakistan varying reasons for hostility. It is sad to see two nations with so much in common distrust and, in general, hate each other. The media rampant with messages of anger against the ‘other’ and thus, choosing the path of friendship or normalisation is a mission of passion. Travelling from Islamabad to New Delhi, however, has changed my perspective to a great ext...